Miniseries
6 episodes · premiered Jun 13, 1978
A dramatisation of the life of famed playwright William Shakespeare from 1590 to 1607.
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E1 Dead Shepherd
Queen Elizabeth I rules the country and Christopher Marlowe rules the theatre. From Stratford-upon-Avon, a young man called William Shakespeare arrives in London determined to match Marlowe as poet and playwright.
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E2 Alms for Oblivion
As England lies ravaged by plague, Shakespeare has usurped Marlowe as playwright of the day.
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E3 Of Comfort and Despair
Will Shakespeare produces the greatest play about young love - Romeo and Juliet. But what of his own love? Who is the 'dark lady' he adores and curses in his sonnets?
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E4 The Loved Boy
Shakespeare wishes for his son Hamnet to have everything, despite disapproval from the rest of his family.
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E5 Rebellion's Masterpiece
Shakespeare is drawn into the dangerous political intrigues of Robert Devereux the Second Earl of Essex.
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E6 The Living Record
Queen Elizabeth dies and King James succeeds her to the throne. What does the future hold for Will Shakespeare and for the actors who bring his plays to life?